[Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty - trend or state of the art?: A meta-analysis]

Minimally invasive approaches in total hip arthroplasty are being used worldwide and continue to grow in popularity. Despite early reports of catastrophic failures, both the number of scientific publications as well as the number of orthopaedic surgeons practicing minimally invasive techniques in total hip arthroplasty are steadily increasing. By means of a systematic review of the literature, the current article weighs the potential advantages and disadvantages of minimally invasive techniques. A shorter skin incision, potentially less muscle damage, a faster rehabilitation and a clinically irrelevant lower blood loss may support the use of minimally invasive techniques. However, the potential impairment of wound cosmetics, the increased risk of periprosthetic fractures, implant malpositioning and lack of long-term results contradict the use of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty as a standard treatment.